| Inadequate Data and Fleet Information Management Weaken Accountability for North Carolina’s Vehicles (December 2011)
North Carolina lacks adequate information to determine the appropriate size and mix of state-owned motor vehicles for state government needs. Although state agencies and institutions can provide data on the number, use, and cost of their fleets, the State does not have a central data source to verify the accuracy of this information. State agencies and institutions are not required to collect the necessary data for vehicle utilization assessments. As a result, many do not collect this information at all. This report recommends directing state agencies and institutions to update vehicle registration records for all state-owned vehicles and requiring collection and reporting of vehicle information through a statewide fleet management system. |
Executive Summary
Final Report
Presentation
Handout |
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Child Nutrition Programs Challenged to Meet Nutrition Standards, Maintain Participation, and Remain Solvent (October 2011)
The viability of Child Nutrition Programs operated by North Carolina’s 115 school districts depends on a delicate balance of cost, nutritional value, and student participation. Despite federal reimbursements for school meals, on average schools lose money on each meal sold and must generate revenue to cover costs. Indirect costs may threaten program solvency, and there are no formal guidelines for their assessment at the local level. Thirty-two other states provide supplemental funding beyond the required state-federal match to alleviate financial pressure and promote higher quality meals. The General Assembly should consider limiting indirect cost assessment and supporting the North Carolina Procurement Alliance.
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Executive Summary
Final Report
Presentation
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| Compared to Other States’ Retirement Plans, TSERS is Well Funded and Its Plan Features Are Typical or Less Generous (September 2011)
The Program Evaluation Division was directed to compare North Carolina’s state retirement system to other state retirement systems. This report focused on the North Carolina Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) because it covers the majority of current and former government employees. The General Assembly determines the features of the retirement benefit and how much employees and the State contribute to TSERS. TSERS’s plan features are either typical or less generous than other states’ plans. The Division ranked plans based on three key measures of funding status in 2009, and TSERS ranked as the sixth best funded state retirement plan out of 84 plans. |
Executive Summary
Final Report
Presentation
Handout |
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Purchasing Consortiums and Merging Community Colleges Could Save $26.2 Million Over Seven Years (June 2011)
North Carolina’s 58 quasi-independent community colleges were established to meet community needs. Colleges range in size from 624 to 16,200 student full-time equivalents (FTE), and campuses are often located close to one another. This study examined the most efficient and effective way to administer the community college system and considered whether colleges should be consolidated. Findings indicated college independence challenges administrative efficiency, small colleges have higher administrative costs than larger ones, and colleges have not taken full advantage of their combined purchasing power. The General Assembly should consider merging small colleges and creating a purchasing unit. Adopting both recommendations could yield potential cumulative savings after seven years of $26.2 million.
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Executive Summary
Final Report
College Presidents' Responses
Presentation
Handouts |
| Statutory Changes Will Promote County Flexibility in Social Services Administration (May 2011)
North Carolina is one of 11 states providing social services programs through a state-supervised and county-administered system. Five alternative structures for administering social services programs could improve efficiency and reduce administrative costs for counties, but statutory and perceived barriers inhibit counties from considering different structures. Administering programs at the county level is considered a major strength of North Carolina’s social services system. The General Assembly should eliminate the population threshold to establish a consolidated human services agency, authorize district departments of social services, and direct the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan to simplify and streamline supervision of county departments of social services. |
Executive Summary
Final Report
Presentation
Handout |
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North Carolina Should Weigh Continued Investment in the Global TransPark Authority and Consider How to Repay the Escheat Fund Loan (April 2011)
The General Assembly directed the Program Evaluation Division to conduct a comprehensive program and financial review of the Global TransPark Authority and to assess the Authority’s ability to become self-sustaining and repay the Escheat Fund loan. The evaluation found the Authority has made progress towards meeting its mission and goals; however, administrative practices limit its ability to demonstrate results. Current operations do not allow the Authority to be self-sufficient or repay the Escheat Fund Loan, thus responsibility for this debt falls to the state. Moving forward, the General Assembly should establish a repayment schedule for the Escheat Fund debt and choose between two options for the future of the Global TransPark.
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Executive Summary
Final Report
Presentation
Handouts |
| Programs for Children, Youth, and Families Need Guiding Framework for Accountability and Funding (February 2011)
This inventory identified 93 state-funded programs for children, youth, and families that were operated by 18 state agencies and universities in Fiscal Year 2009-10. Expenditures from all sources totaled $3.3 billion, and six different appropriations committees oversaw state funding. Outcome measures were notably lacking among these disparate programs. Adopting an organizational framework could promote outcome measurement and more intentional funding. The General Assembly should authorize the Legislative Study Commission on Children and Youth to create a strategic plan for North Carolina’s children, youth, and families. Commission tasks should include establishing statewide goals and identifying broad parameters for assessing progress towards those goals. |
Executive Summary
Final Report
Presentation
Handouts
Follow-up Report |
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How North Carolina Compares
(January 2011)
This compendium ranks North Carolina relative to other states on areas including population, health, education, taxes, and expenditures. This publication was designed as a quick reference that allows state comparisons across indicators and may be useful when evaluating outcomes of state government programs. Data were extracted from the U.S. Census Bureau and other national databanks to assure uniformity of measurement across states. |
2011 Report
2009 Report
Presentation
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Division Activities and Accomplishments: 2008 - 2010
(January 2011)
The Program Evaluation Division includes recommendations in our reports for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of North Carolina government. This publication follows up on those recommendations to determine what actions have been taken by the General Assembly or the agencies that were the subject of our evaluations. This publication also includes information about the program evaluation process and legislative oversight organization in North Carolina and across the country. |
2008-2010 Report
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